The Eye of the Beholder Read Online Free PDF Page B

us with yourself, as neither of us worry overly much about missing a meal," Thomasina sniffed.
    My cheeks flamed, and I turned abruptly, lest I give them the satisfaction of seeing that Thomasina's words had hit their mark. It was too little too late, for I heard them snickering. Clutching the spoon until my knuckles turned white, I did my best to master the combination of hurt and anger.
    "Hello, my darlings," Papa said, entering the cottage and hanging his cloak. He kissed each of us.
    "Dinner is nearly ready," I said.
    "Very good." He rubbed his hands together. "I am famished."
    I smiled. "Judging by that chair, you have earned your appetite."
    "Chair? Did you get another order?" Rowena asked, finally deigning to look up from her needlework.
    "No, I did not. This has to do with an entirely different scheme. Rowena, Thomasina, help your sister while I wash up."
    As soon as his back was turned, my sisters pulled aggrieved faces, taking their time rising from their chairs and moving to help me set the table. I could have done it alone in half the time, but I was gratified by a savage glee that Papa had forced them to work.
    "What is this scheme then, Papa?" I asked, once we had all been served and settled in our seats at the table.
    "I shall travel to the Swan Hollow market. I have heard it attracts a substantial crowd, and I thought I might try my luck there. The chair you saw, Mira, along with a few other items, is for the market."
    "May we come?" Rowena asked eagerly, making eyes at Papa.
    "No, my love. I will need you to stay here and assist Mira."
    "But Papa! I long to purchase satin ribbons for trimmings there," Thomasina said, pouting.
    "If I am successful in this venture, I shall take you with me the next time I go and I shall buy you three ribbons each," Papa said, tweaking her nose. She continued to pout, but Papa looked at her sternly and she sighed, dropping her eyes to her bowl.
    "I must depart on the morrow," Papa continued, eating his dinner with obvious relish.
    "So soon?" I asked.
    "Yes indeed, for it will take me two days to travel to the town and I will only just arrive in time for the market."
    "How will you get there?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
    "The forest route," he said.
    Swan Hollow was north of Everforest, directly opposite the thickest part of the forest that surrounded three sides of our town. There were two routes there; one led around the forest but, because of its massive size, it took twice as long to arrive in Swan Hollow as it did if one took the second route, which passed directly through the forest. Few chose the shorter route. The forest was ominous, and I felt my heart race at my father's announcement.
    "The forest?" I repeated. "But Papa, it is dangerous…"
    Papa waved my objection away with a smile. "Nonsense, my dear. That is all just superstition. I shall be perfectly safe traveling through the forest, I assure you."
    I wanted to object further, but Papa's face was shining with such excitement that I could not bring myself to temper his eagerness.
    "Swan Hollow's market is very large, and I feel confident that my work shall fetch a good price. I shall be able to add to each of your dowries and have enough to spare to bring you each a gift. Now, I command you to request a boon," he said, his eyes dancing.
    My sisters began to talk excitedly, but I could not help but feel a sense of dread at the thought of my father's journey. Deep in my heart I felt that his choice of route was unwise, but what could I say to convince him of that?
    "I would like some peacock blue satin. I wish to have a new gown made," Thomasina said, at last. The request was bold, for it had been many years since any of us had worn satin gowns, but Papa's smile did not waver.
    "You shall have your satin," he told her, pinching her cheek fondly. She squealed with delight.
    "I would like some pale green satin," Rowena hastened to add.
    "And you shall have yours," Papa said, tugging gently at one of